Injured round-the-world sailor rescued from yacht

Sydney, Dec 21 (DPA) A French sailor, crippled by a broken leg in a solo round-the-world yacht race, has been rescued off the coast of Western Australia, news reports said Sunday.Yann Elies, 34, was taken off his 18-metre yacht Generali in the Indian Ocean by crew of the Australian Navy frigate HMAS Arunta on Saturday night.

The ship’s executive officer, Lieutenant-commander Simon Howard, said Elies was in stable condition aboard the frigate which was returning to Fremantle, ABC radio reported.

Elies, who was taking part in the Vendee Globe yacht race, had been stranded since breaking his leg when he fell to the deck while changing sails in heavy seas 1,200 km southwest of Perth Thursday.

He appealed for help, saying he was unable to access his on-board supply of morphine to reduce his acute pain. The AAP news agency said Elies’ boat was left sailing slowly northwards under minimal sail and a crew from Team Generali would go out in a motor launch to find it and sail it back to shore.